The man who started a team

One runner who has built an entire team. La Plata cross country enters their third season of competition it is clear who is the man behind the program.

Junior Seth Brown. The Bulldogs didn’t have a cross country team until Brown’s freshman year when he was single handily the entire team. Now for the first time LP has a full boys team and can compete for state honors.

“I am excited that we have a full boys team. They have all blown my expectation out of the water,” said new La Plata head coach Amanda Lund.

Last season set a new mark with two athletes, this season LP will have seven boys and their first female cross country runner.

“I thought we would have maybe a few runners and that was it, but we have a team. And with Seth leading the way we should be able to win our district, and maybe even make it to state, that is the ultimate goal,” said Lund.

Brown who took part in both the cross country and track state meets last season is in a interesting position as the returning team leader.

“I am expecting to make it to state this season because I know Seth is going to push us even out of practice. It is fun and different at the same time because at practice he can be getting on you like a coach, but then at school he is just a normal friend, it is kind of cool,” said Hank Noah.

Having only been on the job for a few days even Lund has noticed Brown’s leadership ability.“He is a phenomenal natural runner and athlete, but he is such a good leader for this team. He is so knowledgeable about running and can motivate people so well that he is almost like having an assistant coach, but at the same time he is their friend so he makes a great resource for me,” said Lund.

Brown himself is maybe more excited to have teammates this season, than he is for the actual competition.

“Having a team for the first time this season is just so cool, we just motivate each other so much that I know will continue to build,” said Brown.

Having a team is one thing, but winning, and winning as a team is something even better.“As a team I definitely feel like we can make it to state, and as an individual I just want to go out and set some new personal records,” said Brown.

Lund has already developed a plan on how to get the Bulldogs to their first state meet.“Our goal for success this season is to have Seth out front and then our little wolfpack hanging out not too far behind,” said Lund.

At Atlanta they are trying to follow the blueprint laid out by rival La Plata. In just the second season of their cross country program the Hornets have four high school runners who have all made big strides in year two.

“I feel like we have reached a point where we can start expecting to win medals,” said Atlanta head coach Melissa Schowe.

Corey Smothers is the lone boy for the Hornets.

“He has progressed to a point where I feel like he can start setting some new personal best times,” said Schowe.

Julie Smothers and Kristen Gilliland are two girls that Schowe is looking to have big seasons.

“We aren’t at a point yet where we can have a team reach state of districts yet, but I feel like our girls can run with anybody,” said Schowe.